Re: USAGE: 'born'

In a message dated 5/10/01 11:31:13 AM, fortytwo@GDN.NET writes:

<< David Peterson wrote:
>     This only proves my argument, that "becoming" is supposed to mean
> "attractive", and that they're using that word to form a pun.  How could
> anyone possibly think that "becoming" is being used seriously as a verb?!
That was my initial reaction.  I've only ever heard "becoming" used as
an adjective to mean "appropriate", like, "That's very becoming of you"
meaning "That's very appropriate for you".  Not to mention that
"becoming" sounds extremely odd as an adjective without the preposition
"of" following it.>>

    This "suitable" definition is the second definition listed in my
dictionary, and certainly not one I ever use.

> There's absolutely no way!  I myself have been to Phoenix, and would
describe
> it as quite becoming.
And I would say "Becoming what?" >>

    The first definition is "tending to suit or to give a pleasing effect or
attractive appearance, as to a person or thing".  "Becoming what?"  That's not
 the response of a native English speaker.  The only way I can even think of
"becoming" coming at the end of a sentence while retaining its verbal meaning
is (a) the situation I already described (like a WH-cleft), or (b) some sort
of a joke, like on the Simpsons or Seinfeld.  "I just don't know what you've
become.  Goodbye, George."  "But...but...I'm still becoming!  Give me a week,
I swear; I'm still becoming!!!"  And even so, if I heard that, I'd think of
"becoming" as attractive.
    But, there's only one way to solve this, if it's important enough to be
solved: Find the author, ask her/him.

-David

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